Apparatus for gaseous development of light-sensitive material, especially of diazo-type by means of ammonia gas



7 y 1935- A w KURTEN 2,009,962

APPARATUS FOR GASE 'DEVELOPMEN F LIGHT SENSITIVE MATERIAL,

ESPECIALLY DIAZO TYPE MEANS OF AMMONIA GAS Filed Aug. 13, 1934 I5 Sheets-Sheet l WM Jana,

@QflIM w. KURTEN 2,009,962 PMENT OF LIGHT SENSITIVE MATERI TYPE BY MEANS OF AMMONIA GAS July 30, 1935.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 APPARATUS FOR GASEOUS DEVELO ESPECIALLY OF DIAZO Filed Aug. 13, 1934 July 30, 1935.

W. KURTEN APPARATUS FOR GASEOUS DEVELOPMENT OF LIGHT SENSITIVE MATE 2,009,962 RIAL, ESPECIALLY 0F DIAzo TYPE BY MEANS OF AMMONIA GAS Filed Aug. 13, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented .Iuly 30, 1935 APPARATUS FOR GASEOUS DEVELOPMENT OF LIGHT-SENSITIVE MATERIAL; ESPE- CIALLY OF DIAZO- AMMONIA GAS TYPE BY MEANS OF Wilhelm Kiirten, Cologne-on-the-Rhine,. Germany, assignor to Kalle 8; Co. Aktiengesell- V schalt, Wiesbaden-Biebrich, Germany I iipplication August 13,

1934, Serial No. 739,684

In Germany August 30, 1932 14 Claims.

The present invention relates to apparatuses for the development of photographic printing papers such as diazotype-papers by means of alkaline gases, particularly ammonia gas.

In machines for the development of photoraphic printing papers by means of alkaline gases, for example ammonia, it is customary to convey the prints by the aid ofconveying bands or rollers through the developing chamber. The possibility of the prints being lifted off the conveying band or'the conveying roller is prevented by means of a stationary guide member which is arranged at a short distance away from the conveying band or the feed roller. The said stationary guide member is provided with numerous openings in order that the gas employed for development can gain access to the printing paper.

- In these constructional forms the gas for the development impinges only'o'n the one side'on the printsso that the time of development issome= what prolonged.

The subject of the present invention is a developing apparatus for photographic prints in which the said disadvantages are avoided byproviding that the print is drawn through straight or curved slot-like channels of about 3 mm. height, which are perforated or interrupted and render possible the action of the developing gas on the print from both sides, whereby a rapid and complete development is ensured. The channels are preferably formed'by means of gratings, perforated plates or, as is illustrated in Fig. 3, by

means of vertical guide plates arranged at certain distances from one another. The apparatus ac-.

cording to the invention can,'for the same output, be constructed of smaller size than the hitherto known-apparatuses. The apparatus is, moreover, so arranged that the admission and discharge of the prints into and out of the developing chamber respectively, is effected without the employment of any cords or conveying bands. For this reason there are arranged one or more transport rolls or other transporting means at the inlet and the outlet of the developing chamber which serve for transporting the 'prints through the developing chamber. The surface of these transport rolls may be roughened or be provided with grooves or with cords of .rubber arranged in suitable distances from one another for. facilitating the transport of the prints. ;The transport of the paper through the gaszchamber is effected in such manner that resilient pressing bands; for instance steel bands, press the prints on to the transport rollers and thus cause them to be fed onwards. At the same time, the steel bands seal the gas chamber at the admission and discharge places for the prints against the exterior. The distance between the admission place and the discharge place must be smaller than the length of the prints to be developed. Furthermore means are provided for heating the developing chamber and means for degassing the developed prints.

The nature of the invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, wherein'Figs. 1, 3, and 5 are side sectional views of three preferred forms of the machine. Figs; 2 and 4 are plan sectional views of the constructions shown in Fig. 1 and 3,respectively.

One constructional form of the machine according to the invention is illustrated in cross section in Fig. l. The reference numeral I -denotes the frame of the machine, 2 is the developing chamber in which an aqueous ammonia solution 3 is'arranged, [is an inlet pipe provided with a plurality of openings or extensions respectively for the introduction of gaseous ammonia for the purpose of saturating the exhausted ammoniacal liquid. In similar manner a pipe 5 perforated with holes is provided for the direct supply and treatment with ammonia gas. 6 is a table for the introduction of the prints, 1 is a roller for feeding in the prints, and 8 isa second roller for conveying the developed prints onwards into the degassing chamber 9. The rollers l and 8 have steel bands 2! and 25 closely bearing upon and'coveringthem, which bands serve the purpose -01 preventing the passage of the ammonia gas to the exterior and of ensuring a perfect onward feed of the prints from the roller 1 to the rods I! which are mounted on the walls I and ii of the degassing chamber and from the rods to the roller 8. In the degassing chamber 9 two rollers I3 and M are arranged, over which endless rubber bands or cords lirun in the direction indicated bythe arrows: The reference numeral l6 denotes steel bands which are fixed to'the frame at'the points I! and 18 re- "spectively, and which are located opposite to the rubber cords l5. Between the rubber cords l and the steel bands It the developed prints are guided. i9 is a hollow plate member which is insulated from the exterior and within-which a heating device 20 for heating the developing chamber is arranged. Furthermore, a plate provided with a heating device 2| is arranged below the bottom of the developing chamber 2. 22 is a thermostat for regulating the temperature. The developing chamber is surrounded by an insulating sheath 23 for protecting against heat radiation; It is preferable to put the machine in operation after the developing chamber'has already been previously heated. a

Fig. 2 shows a plan of the developing appara tus according to Fig. l. j

The mode of operation of the apparatusis as follows:

The photographic prints which are to be developed are laid on the table 6, are gripped by the feed roller I and are conveyed over the rods l2 to the delivery roller 8. During the passage through the developing chamber 2 the prints are com-, pletely developed and pass from the delivery roller 8 between the steel bands l6 and the rubber cords [5, by which latter they are carried onwards. During the passage of the prints up to the delivery part of the degassing chamber, the prints have the gas withdrawn from them by means of a gas withdrawal device, for example a ventilator; in known manner.

Fig. 3 shows another constructional form of the apparatus according to the invention, in which the developing space is reduced in size by making it of semi-circular form. In this constructional form, semi-circular internally recessed plates 24 are provided, in the recesses of which semi-circular plates 25 are arranged in such manner that between the two plates 24 and 25 a narrow slot 26 of about 3 mm. or more is formed, through which the prints are fed onwards. The plates are mounted on rods 21 and 28 and are provided with holes 29 in order to give access to the ammonia gas at all parts. It

the prints becoming Fig. 3.

has been found that it is possible to pass the prints through the slot by means of the feed roller 36 by a simple pushing operation without crumpled or becoming jammed, i. e.,held stationary. After the development the prints pass, as in the case of the machine according to Fig. 1, into the degassing chamber 9. For the introduction and discharge of the prints, a single roller 30' is provided, which feeds the prints into the slot and then afterwards outof it again. 3| is the perforated admission pipe for the introduction of gaseous ammonia for the saturation of the exhausted ammoniacal liquid 3. The reference numeral 5 denotes a pipe provided with holes for' the direct treatment with ammonia gas. The developing chamber 2 is surrounded bya curved shell 32 and a further shell 33,- in the intermediate space 34 between which shells an insulating layer for protection against heat radiation is arranged. The reference numeral 2!! denotes electrical heating devices for the heating ,ofthe metal parts and the ammonia water.

Fig. 4 shows a plan of the deviceaccording to Fig. 5 shows a further constructional form in which the curved slot or channel is formed by an internal perforated .curved plate and an external curved wire grating. Thlsapparatus consistsof .a closed developing chamber which is mounted on the frame 58. The details of construction and the mode of operation of this device will be understoodfrom'the following description. Y

From -the table 6'the prints which are guide by the plate 51 pass over-the roller 30 against which they are pressed by the steel bar id 35, into the passage 26.formed,by-the perforated curved plate 36 and the curved wire grating {Ir The wire grating 31 is fixed on the batten T38. From the passage 26 th prints pass onwards on to the lower side of the roller 30 against which they are pressed by the steel band 39 and are thereby carried onwards by theroller 30 and fed into the air withdrawal passage 40 which is formed by the heated plate 4| and the grating 42.

The channel 26 formed by the plate 36 and the grating 31 is located inside the developing chamside wall of the developing chamber 2 and lead' ing from the externally arranged dropping device 48,-on to the heated gutter 45. The dropping device 48 is provided with an observation window 49 and receives the ammonia water 3 from the bottle 50, the quantity of the ammonia water dropping in being capable of being regulated by means of the valve 5|. V

In the developing chamber 2 heating elements 52 are arranged adjacent to the developing passage proper 26. Similar heating elements 53 are provided above the inlet for the printing paper, above the resilient 'steel band 35 and below the plate 4| of the degassing channel 46; For drawing off gases, a suction pipe 54 is arranged immediately adjacent to the entry on the guide plate 51. The air withdrawal passage 40 is located in the box 55, the upper side of which forms a table 6. In the box 55' a suction pipe 56 is arranged tion with said chamber; means defining a guid-' ing passage communicating with" said chamber and through which light-sensitive material may be fed; and at the ends only of said guiding passage and, wholly external to said chamber means for grasping light-sensitive material, for

feeding such light-sensitive material through said guiding passage and for seahng the'ends of said guiding passage against egress of gas therefrom.

.2. Apparatus for gaseous development of lightsensitive material, comprising a developing chamber; a source of developing gas in communication with said chamber; means defining a guiding passage communicating with said chamber and through which light-sensitive material may be fed; and means at the ends only of said guiding passage and wholly external to said chamber for feeding light-sensitive material through said passage, said means including a roller adapted to cooperate directly with one face of such lightsensitive material and resilient means complemental to said roller and adapted to cooperate directly with the opposite face of such lightsensitive material, said roller and resilient means cooperating to provide a gas seal in said passage.

3; Apparatus for gaseous development of lightsensitive material, comprising a developing chamher; a source of developing gas in communication with said chamber; means for heating the interior of said chamber; means defining a guiding passage communicating with said chamber and through which light-sensitive material may be fed; and at the ends only of said guiding passage and wholly external to said chamber means for grasping light-sensitive material, for feeding Such l ght-sensitive material through said guiding passage and for sealing the ends of said guiding passage against egress 01' gas therefrom.

4. Apparatus for gaseous development oi? lightsensitive material, as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the ends of said guiding passage provide an inlet and an outlet to said developing chamber, and in that a tie-gassing chamber is provided immediately adjacent to and communicating with the outlet of said guiding passage.

5., Apparatus for gaseous development of lightsensitive material, comprising a developing chamber, a source of ammonia gas and stationary mechanical guiding devices forming a curved in-y terrupted passage in said developing chamber, said chamber having a narrow slit-like inlet channel and a narrow slit-like outlet channel, the channels being in connection with the ends of said curved passage, a roller between and tightly fitted into said channels and serving for transporting the material to be developed through said curved passage.

6. Apparatus for gaseous development of lightsensitive material, comprising a developing chamber, a source of ammonia gas and stationary mechanical guiding devices forming a curved interrupted passage in said developing chamber, said chamber having a narrow slit-like inlet channel and a narrow slit-like outlet channel at the ends of said curved passage, a roller between and tightly fitted into said channels, steel bands in connection with said channels and closely bearing upon the roller, the roller serving for transporting the material to be developed through said curved passage.

7. Apparatus for gaseous development of lightsensitive material, comprising a developing chamber, a source of ammonia gas and stationary mechanical guiding devices forming a curved interrupted passage in said developing chamber, a narrow slit-like inlet channel and a narrow slit-like outlet channel, the channels being in connection with said curved passage, a roller between and tightlyfitted into said channels, the roller serving for transporting the material to be developedthrough said curved passage, and a degassing chamber immediately adjacent to the outlet of the developing chamber.

8. Apparatus for gaseous development of lightsensitive material, comprising a developing chamber, a source of ammonia gas and stationary mechanical guiding devices forming a curved interrupted passage in said developing chamber, the chamber having a narrow slit-like inlet channel and a narrow slit-like outlet channel in connection with said curved passage, a roller between and tightly fitted into said channels, steel bands in connection with said channels and closely bearing upon the roller, the latter serving for transporting the material to be developed passage, a roller between andtightly fitted into said channels, and heating devices in said developing chamber.

10. Apparatus for gaseous development of lightrsensitive material, comprising a developing chamber, a source of ammonia gas and stationary mechanical guiding devices forming a curved interrupted passage in said developing chamber, the chamber having a narrow slit-like inlet channel and a narrow slit-like outlet channel, the channels being in connection with said curved passage, a roller between and tightly fitted into said channels, steel bands in connection with said channels and closely bearing upon the roller, and heating devices in said developing chamber.

11. Apparatus for gaseous development of light-sensitive material, comprising a developing chamber, a source of ammonia gas and stationary mechanical guiding devices forming a curved interrupted passage in said developing chamber, the chamber having a narrow slit-like inlet channel and a narrow slit-like outlet channel, the channels being in connection with said curved passage, a roller between and tightly fitted into said channels, a degassing chamber immediately adjacent to the outlet of the developing chamber and heating devices in said chamber.

12. Apparatus for gaseous development of light-sensitive material, comprising a developing chamber, a source of ammonia gas and stationary mechanical guiding devices forming a curved interrupted passage in said developing chamber, the chamber having a narrow slit-like inlet channel and a narrow slit-like outlet channel, the channels being in connection with said curved passage, a roller between and'tightly fitted into said channels, steel bands in connection with said channels and closely bearing upon the roller, a degassing chamber immediately adjacent to the outlet of the developing chamber and heating evices in said chamber.

13. Apparatus for gaseous development of light-sensitive material, comprising a developing chamber, a source of ammonia gas and a plurality of vertical perforated guide plates forming a curved passage in said developing chamber, an opening in said developing chamber at the ends of said passage, in said opening a roller tightly fitted in by means of steel bands in connection with the ends of the opening and closely bearing upon the roller, thus forming an inlet slit and an outlet slit, a degassing chamber immediately adjacent to the outlet of the developing chamber and heating devices in the developing chamber.

14. Apparatus for gaseous development of light-sensitive material, comprising a developing chamber, a source of ammonia gas and a curved wire grating and a curved perforated plate forming together a curved passage in said developing chamber, the chamber having a narrow slit-like inlet channel and anarrow slitlike outlet channel, the channels being in connection with said curved passage, a roller between said channels tightly fitted into openings of said channels by means of steel bands closely bearing upon the roller, a degassing chamber immediately adjacent to the outlet of the developing chamber and heating devices in' said chamber.

WILHELM KiiRTEN. 

